A recent Point Loma High School graduate remains upbeat after suffering or aggravating a serious injury in the recent Alex Spanos All-Star Classic football game. Quarterback Sean McKaveney was ticketed to enter Claremont McKenna College and challenge for the starting job as a freshman until he felt a “pop” in his right knee just before halftime of the match won by his South squad July 8 at Mesa College. That collegiate debut will have to wait a year, after doctors diagnosed a full anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear that sent McKaveney into surgery July 24. Known as “patella tendon-right ACL reconstruction,” McKaveney said the 90-minute procedure was successful. “I had virtually no pain when I first came home,” McKaveney said. “But my knee was killing me the first week when it was in a continuous motion machine 23 hours a day to keep the new ligament loose.” Doctors have given the young athlete a brisk schedule that should see him running in six weeks. First, however, came walking without crutches this week. “I can’t wait to start rehab and get back out on the field training,” said McKaveney. Doctors surprised the quarterback and his parents with the assessment of the ACL tear. “The doctors think my knee did not swell this time because it had already been torn, and that I was just extremely lucky to be able to play on it this long,” he said. Ironically, this is the first year Claremont McKenna has recruited players, and McKaveney believes redshirting as a freshman could be an advantage. “I am now looking at this whole injury as a blessing in disguise,” he said, “since it gives the college another year to recruit and continue to build their program. I think everything will work out for the best.” McKaveney plans to participate in track during his freshman season in the spring, hoping to run the 400-meter relays, high jump and throw the javelin for the NCAA Division III Stags.